IDF Orchestra

IDF Orchestra
The IDF Orchestra creates a shape of Magen David
Location	Tel Aviv
Founded	1948 (1948)
Director	Noam Inbar
Members	20-400
Uniform	Black ceremonial cap with the orchestra's symbol and red lanyard and olive green uniform with a red trouser belt

The IDF Orchestra (Hebrew: תזמורת צה"ל‎‎; Tizmoret Tzahal) is the main musical ensemble of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It comprises musicians and singers in compulsory service who have successfully passed the auditions before enlistment into the IDF. The greater part of the band appears at military ceremonies, official visits and honor guards, and the orchestra also performs at various non-official community events.

The IDF Orchestra was established in 1948 as a part of the newly formed Israel Defense Forces. It consisted of several small orchestras operated until then: the Alexandria Division band, orchestra Brigade, Artillery Corps Band and Givati Orchestra Brigade. The Orchestra's first conductor was Izhak Muse, a new immigrant from the Soviet Union who played wind instruments. Muse was a graduate of a prestigious military orchestra conductor in Leningrad and immigrated to Israel in January 1949 On 4 May 1949, the band participated in the second annual IDF parade celebrating Independence Day, but the crowd that filled the streets blocked the parade route and forced the parade to stop. The event was later nicknamed "The parade that did not march" and led to the creation of the first Israeli commission of inquiry. Isaac Muse at the top of the IDF Orchestra March of that step. After several months, Shalom Ronli-Riklis, former conductor of the orchestra Brigade, took over as conductor of the Orchestra. Ronli-Riklis greatly expanded the orchestra’s repertoire (modern to classical music and light music), during his tenure as conductor. a position he held until 1960. From 1953 to 1955, renowned Israeli composer Noam Sheriff served as Ronli-Riklis’ assistant. In 1960 Ronli-Riklis retired. Izhak Graziani, a long-time trumpet player in the orchestra, became conductor in 1962. About three months before he died, in 2003, Graziani retired. He was replaced by Lt. Col. Michael Ya'aran, who conducted the orchestra then until his own retirement in 2013. On 29 July 2013, Major Noam Inbar became the conductor.

As opposed to most of the world's military bands, orchestra musicians are IDF soldiers serving their mandatory service, and are not permanent soldiers.

The unit is made up of male and female soldiers who have musical experience. The only base is located in Ramat Aviv in Tel Aviv. In addition to the main orchestra, the IDF also has a rabbinical choir and other military bands. The difference between the IDF orchestra and the other musical bodies, is that the others are entertainment groups, designed to keep up morale only, while the orchestra is also a ceremonial unit. Additionally, while military bands belong to the Education Corps, the IDF orchestra belongs to the Manpower Directorate, which is responsible for Israel's state and military ceremonies.